Winter's Child

by J.S. Burke

How can one child end the long, fierce Winter?
Original Fairytale in rhyming verse with colorful illustrations.
This story shows the power of friendship, for Young Readers 9 to 99.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Winter has lasted for many long years;
No babies were born during this time of fears.

Mariah surprises the world with her birth.
Can she bring back Spring, with its laughter and mirth?

The kids have grown up and they work hard each day.
She's too young to help, so she's left out to play.

At last she cries out, "I feel so alone!"
The Wind's heart is melted like ice on a stone.

He shares vivid stories as their friendship grows.
Can the magic of friends end the Winter they know?

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2021

About the author

J. S. Burke has worked as an author, artist, and marine biologist, studying creatures of the dark abyss and diving on coral reefs. Her stories blend imagination with real science and author experiences. The DRAGON DREAMER series grew from years at sea, a fascination with clever, alien octopuses, and a love of dragons: Science Fantasy for young adults 9 to 99.
DRAGON DREAMER LISTS: https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/2...
NARWHAL'S SONG LISTS: https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/2...
WINTER'S CHILD LISTS: https://www.goodreads.com/list/book/5...
NEW BOOK: SUNSET DRAGONS https://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Dragons...
*DRAGON THUNDER won NABE Pinnacle Best Science Fantasy.
*DRAGON LIGHTNING won NABE Pinnacle Best Science Fantasy and IAN Best Science Fiction. It's also an IAN Finalist for Best Fantasy and Best Young Adult book.
*THE DRAGON DREAMER won IAN Best First Novel. It's also an IAN Finalist for Best Science Fiction and Best Fantasy.
*FANTASY SNOWFLAKES COLORING BOOKS I and II have wildlife mandalas made from Narwhals, Dragons, Dolphins, Mermaids, more.
*WINTER'S CHILD is an original, illustrated, upbeat fairytale.

*Favorite books include Lord of the Rings, Dune, Watership Down, The Crystal Cave, Silent Spring, and many more!

NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-d...
KOBO: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id11...

Reviews

[J.S. Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Winter's Child" is an original, upbeat, fantasy fairytale with the magic of friendship. The story is a long poem with matching illustrations, including fantasy snowflakes made from dragons, unicorns, whales, and more. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed creating it!

[Sarah Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, heartwarming tale of friendship overcoming adversity. Written in rhyme, it tells the story of a long winter and a lonely little girl who is befriended by the wind. With lovely illustrations to help tell the story, it's a joy to read and look at for all ages. JS Burke writes beautifully and creates charming characters that really come to life.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter pulled this one off of my shelf and read it in one go. She loved the illustrations and the story itself. A beautiful testament to wonderful and immersive storytelling! A story I'm sure will be read again and again!

[Audrey Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was more than full of joy when I finished reading Winter's Child. J.S. Burke not only painted pictures in my mind through a rhyming way of story telling but reminded me of folk lore. I love how she used snowflakes to illustrate the Winds storytelling. This book was not only a delightful tale but educational as well. I absolutely loved the explanations of each new snow flake as it was introduced.
This is a story that will most surely be passed on generation to generation.

[K.A. Mulenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, imaginative and brilliant

This is a lovely rhyming book with cute illustrations. I love the author’s imagination about a winter world. The activities at the end will be a hit with kids . Highly recommended

[Rose English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 102 of my Goodreads Challenge 2021

A rhyming magical winter wonderland

I love the work of this author, and I was happy to discover a new winter wonderland with fantasy snowflakes. This beautiful tale, told in rhyme is about a village at the edge of the world where winter rules. No babies have been born for a long time, until now.

The child, a little girl is sad. All the other children are a lot older and no one wants to play with her. She is left outside to play alone in the cold and ice. Her sorrowful cries reach the wind and he is the one who comes to play. They become great friends and the wind creates beautiful stories from magical snowflakes.

The sun high in the sky hears the joy and laughter and wants to join in too. But what can he do, the wind asks? Can the magic of friends end the long harsh winter? Check it out for yourselves.

We love this book, and are excited that it not only has a beautiful story but at the end there are instructions on how to create your own paper snowflakes. Which you can colour in at your leisure. It links in very nicely with the 'Fantasy Snowflakes Coloring Books'



Miss Ruby Heart loves it too and gives it 4 Paws and a lick (5*****)

[Kenna McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a song in which "they call the wind Mariah" and I wonder if the author of this phantasmagorical tale has heard Mariah in the voice of the wind, so real is this extended poem. Perfect as a gift for a 7-year-old girl I know, this book is more than charming words and illustrations. It's a learning experience tucked into the rhymes with creatures of the sky, earth, and sea explained so that children understand and appreciate the natural world. Included are instructions on how to cut out their own snowflakes, a craft children of another generation enjoyed once upon a time. The large print edition is perfect for a small child. The myth of an extended winter with no babies born until Mariah entices the sun to bring spring to the land is the stuff of fairy tales and folklore. Highly recommended.

[M.Y. Zeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is special, a touching and magical tale, and the illustrations are perfect! The imagery was so beautiful. I could picture everything. The characters, especially Mariah, the wind really come to life. She was very sympathetic from the beginning by having no friends. I loved the image of her making snowmen and being sad because they were cold and lifeless. I loved the idea of the snowflakes as a way of the wind telling the stories as pictures that lasted longer. It is a beautiful way to think of how snow and winter are important. I loved Ms. Burke's Dragon Dreamer series and this book really shows that she is a great artist too. I also recommend checking out here Coloring book series as they are perfect companions to this for a parent and child to make together.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author J. S. Burke is one of the few people who could write a book for people of any age. This is an enchanting story featuring a lonely little girl in a world of mystery created just for her. The story creates a world for those who love, not only fantasy but the world in which we live. It manages to become a lovely story of winter and summer, spring and fall, and encompasses all the joys of nature and the imagination of a child. But it is one to which adults can relate. I bought three copies of the paperback, but find that I will need more. A lovely story for all times! Jenny is an award-winning author with a rare talent of being able to make you care for the characters and feel magic all at the same time! (And don't let your age stop you from enjoying this and her wonderful Dragon Dreamer series!)

[Mistral Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's a girl to do when she is the only child and all the adults are busy? Why, make friends with the Wind, of course. And if the Wind has a talent for story-telling and picture-making, then she is a lucky little girl, indeed.

Winter's Child is a delightful modern fairy tale told in a traditional way and made all the more charming with rhyming verse. The illustrations are beautiful and the story itself is a blend of magic and natural science that will appeal to children of all ages... Even those who have grown up. As a bonus, there are detailed instructions for making paper snowflakes that will help make being stuck inside on a cold winter's day a little more fun. It's my pleasure to give this wonderful story five stars, and I'd give it more if I could.

[J.M.D. Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

JS Burke steps out of her middle-grade fiction to bring a lighthearted tale off a Mariah. Born in a world of only winter, she makes friend with the Wind that tells her stories that blossoms her imagination.

The book is written in lyrical prose that flows from line to line. It's quite the delight to read.

A perfect story to read to the little tykes as we head into those cold months of winter!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story that all ages can love. I think it is a good book to read aloud to the young ones in your life. Follow Mariah, a young girl as she tries to change the world she knows for the better. She receives help from a unique source. That's what makes this story a whimsical, magical read.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are fantastic. They drew me to the book. I've also read the author's other books so I was not surprised at how wonderful this book is. The poetry flows magically through this enchanting book. I highly recommend this amazing book.

[Nix’s Bookish Things · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute story! I loved it! All the illustrations were great but I especially loved all the different snowflakes. So creative. I can see this really getting a kids imagination going. Always a good thing. I definitely recommend this book.

[Caralyn Rubli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a signed copy in a giveaway through Goodreads
Cute story, beautiful illustrations. Has a snowflake cutting guide in the back.

[Brei-ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Winters child is a beautiful fairy tale. The illustrations are beautiful. Mariah is lonely and wants a friend. Wind's heart breaks for her. The wind tells her beautiful stories with snowflakes.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and prose.

[Chrissy Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of me wishes I could write this review from a child’s perspective, but I love the artistic value of a good story, and WINTER’S CHILD by J.S. Burke has so much to offer.

On the surface, you have a nice children’s poem about a little girl who lived in a village of a seemingly endless winter. She had no one to play with and finds friends in the Wind and the Sun, and has so much fun with them that it’s a surprise when her situation changes, and she is no longer alone. Along the way, she learns about the beauty and uniqueness of snowflakes.

I think a child would enjoy this immensely, particularly if this is read out loud to them. Said child would undoubtedly develop a pure appreciation for the world we live in.

Now to discuss what may be beyond the surface, or more specifically how I interpreted it. Mariah is a little girl who is very lonely, not having any children around who is her age. She struggles with it a little before she figures out how to resolve this on her own.

There’s a saying going around that when you want to change your life, you make the changes within first, and the rest will come thereafter. This holds true for Mariah, who uses her imagination to see the magic and wonder that is already given to us by Mother Nature. She makes a choice to stop feeling sorry for herself, or for a situation she has no control over, and did the best with what she had. She did it so well that by the time winter finally ended, she was sad to see it go.

She overcame her loneliness and sadness and was rewarded with a baby sister, who is not only a friend but a lifetime friend. She is given the name Aurora, a lovely symbol of the new, warm sunrise. It’s a neatly-wrapped story of the friends we have in family and of the dogged pursuit of happiness.

WINTER’S TALE is a win on the technical side as well. Much of it is composed of couplets but the author strategically placed half rhymes throughout the work that fits it nicely. These half rhymes serve to break up the rhythmic pattern, as well as emphasize certain parts of the story.

Writing a great children’s story seems like it would be more difficult than it might initially appear to be. I imagine it is not easy to choose the right words, right amount of words, and the right positioning of words to get your point across and still hold the children’s attention. J.S. Burke has clearly done that and much more. It teaches reverence for nature in a manner that stirs up excitement for the things many of us shun or don’t bother acknowledging. In addition, it teaches a child to never stop believing in magic and that there is no limit to one’s imagination.

This story really comes together perfectly in a way that is much more than just satisfying – it’s heartwarming and has the potential to make a great impact on a reader of any age. I highly recommend this book and advise you read it aloud, even if it’s just for the little kid inside you.

[Patricia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter's Child is a delightful story for young readers, exploring themes of loneliness and friendship. The main character, a girl named Mariah, is the only child her age in the small northern village at the end of the world. She learns to play with Wind, and he teaches her about the creatures of the world, using snowflakes to illustrate each one. The snowflakes are beautifully drawn and should be pointed out for children to examine closely because each one - like each snowflake that falls from the sky - is intricate, unique, and lovely. The author also gives instructions and outlines for children to make their own snowflakes! I would judge the illustrations in this book to be most appropriate for preschool (age 4 to adult), but the vocabulary is (in my opinion, and it's been almost two decades since I taught) closer to early years (age 7 to adult). Did I mention this is a well-written and beautifully illustrated book for adults, too?

[W.A. Ashes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I'm giving it 5 stars because the kids I read it to said it deserved "all the stars". I started reading it aloud, and they all just navigated towards me and sat down to listen. It's an adorable tale that combines real-life animal facts with fantastical folklore elements, such as the wind and sun communicating with a little girl.

There are a few places where the rhyme scheme doesn't hit right...I don't know, maybe I just pronounce the words differently than the author does? Otherwise, the rhythm is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, which I think is what initially drew the kids to it. It's very melodic.

[Caryn Mahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful tale. Rhymes nicely. Easy to read aloud. I especially loved the snowflakes. Artful, creative with different animals or fairytale creatures incorporated. A sweet story about a child faced with loneliness. Winter's wind comes to her rescue. He plays with her, creates the snowflakes to delight her. As the weather warms the sun adds his light spectrum to the art. Winter comes to an end. The snowflakes melt. All seems lost until the girls mother gives birth to another daughter. Things end on a positive note. Nice art work throughout the story. Sure to delight a young reader!

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. S. Burke is the author of the award-winning Dragon Dreamer series. The marine biologist has applied her storytelling talents to a charming fairytale in verse. Bonus features include detailed directions on how to create beautiful snowflakes.
A young girl named Mariah lives in the frozen North. There are no children her age, so she becomes friends with the wind. Seeking to please her, The Wind fashions clouds, and later snowflakes into images to tell Mariah about the creatures and history of the past. Eventually, the Sun decides to join them creating colors and warmth. Soon the ice begins to melt, and the seasons reemerge.

Mariah possesses an insatiable curiosity about her world but also desperately wants friendship and companionship. Will she ever find her proper place in her world?

Burke provides her readers with beautiful verse and imagery, while, at the same time, enthralling them with tales of dragons, dolphins, hummingbirds, herons, and unicorns. She weaves fiction and nonfiction in a charming tale that will especially delight elementary and middle-grade readers, but one that can a reader of any age can enjoy

[Rosemarie Montefusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter's Child is a delight for so many reasons. Echoing classic children's verse and fairytales, it begs to be read aloud. The illustrations are enchanting. Bruke has brought to life the wind and sun as playful friends and made the wonder of snowflakes that much more magical. At its heart, Winter's Child tells a beautiful story--one that shows we are never alone when we connect with the natural world. It offers us endless gifts if we open ourselves to them.

[Janice Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little story showcasing Burke's delightfully imaginative snowflakes. I read the ebook version out of curiosity, but think the paper copy would be a lot better medium.

[Oma C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different setting, a different becoming of the story. It opens your mind, draws you in as if it's you and now you are living the story.